Unlocking STEM Education Funding: Opportunities for Homeschoolers and Beyond

5 minute read – Suitable for readers in the USA.

Funding through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and similar programs offers families a valuable opportunity to enhance your children’s education by covering a wide range of educational expenses. If you are focusing on STEM education, these funds can be used to purchase essential resources such as a 3D printer, consumables like filament and maintenance supplies, and comprehensive curriculums like what we offer at Learnbylayers. 

If eligible with funding, you can equip your learners with cutting-edge tools to develop critical design and technology skills, making STEM concepts more engaging and accessible. By leveraging these funds, you can create a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and technical expertise.

Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are state-administered programs that provide families with public funds to cover approved educational expenses, including private school tuition, homeschooling costs, tutoring, and educational materials. This can be used to cover the cost of the learnbylayers 3D printing curriculum and online courses that we offer. Not all states offer this type of funding so we have listed other sources beneath this list. 

if you need a grant application template then checkout the one we published last year here. This template can be edited using microsoft word or google docs.

Below is a list of states offering ESA programs, along with application links and key details:

Application Tips:

• Check Deadlines: Application periods vary; ensure you apply within the specified timeframe.

• Prepare Documentation: Gather necessary documents such as proof of income, residency, and any required educational plans.

• Review Eligible Expenses: Understand what expenses are covered to make the most of the funds.

1. Alabama – CHOOSE Act

• Program Name: Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act (CHOOSE Act)

• Eligibility: Families with an adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level; income cap to be removed in 2027.

• Funding Amount: Up to $7,000 for private school tuition; up to $2,000 for homeschooling expenses.

• Application Period: January 2, 2025 – April 7, 2025.

• Application Link: CHOOSE Act Alabama Application

2. Arizona – Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)

• Eligibility: Open to all K-12 students in Arizona.

• Funding Amount: Approximately $7,000 per year.

• Application Link: Arizona Department of Education ESA Program

3. Florida – Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES)

• Eligibility: Available to all K-12 students; priority given to families below 185% of the federal poverty level.

• Funding Amount: Up to $8,000 annually.

• Application Link: Step Up For Students – FES Program

4. West Virginia – Hope Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students leaving public school or entering kindergarten.

• Funding Amount: Approximately $4,300 annually.

• Application Link: Hope Scholarship Program

5. Indiana – Education Scholarship Account (ESA) Program

• Eligibility: Students with disabilities in private or homeschool settings.

• Funding Amount: Varies based on need and services required.

• Application Link: Indiana ESA Program

6. Tennessee – Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program

• Eligibility: Students with special needs.

• Funding Amount: Up to $6,000 annually.

• Application Link: Tennessee IEA Program

7. New Hampshire – Education Freedom Account (EFA)

• Eligibility: Families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

• Funding Amount: Approximately $4,500 per year.

• Application Link: Children’s Scholarship Fund – NH EFA

8. North Carolina – Personal Education Savings Account (ESA+)

• Eligibility: Students with disabilities.

• Funding Amount: Up to $9,000 annually.

• Application Link: NCSEAA – ESA+ Program

9. Arkansas – Educational Freedom Account (EFA)

• Eligibility: Open to all students by 2025.

• Funding Amount: To Be Determined.

• Application Link: Arkansas Department of Education – School Choice

10. Georgia – Georgia Promise Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students zoned for public schools in the bottom 25% for academic achievement.

• Funding Amount: Up to $6,500 annually.

• Application Period: Applications will open in early 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Application Link: Georgia Promise Scholarship

11. Iowa – Education Savings Account (ESA) Program

• Eligibility: All K-12 students in Iowa.

• Funding Amount: Approximately $7,500 per year.

• Application Link: Iowa Department of Education ESA Program

12. Utah – Utah Fits All Scholarship

• Eligibility: All K-12 students in Utah.

• Funding Amount: Up to $8,000 annually.

• Application Link: Utah State Board of Education – Utah Fits All Scholarship

13. South Carolina – Education Scholarship Trust Fund

• Eligibility: Students from low-income households.

• Funding Amount: Up to $6,000 annually.

• Application Link: South Carolina Department of Education – Education Scholarship Trust Fund

14. Montana – Special Needs Equal Opportunity Education Savings Account Program

• Eligibility: Students with special needs.

• Funding Amount: Varies based on need.

• Application Link: Montana Office of Public Instruction – Special Needs ESA

15. Mississippi – Equal Opportunity for Special Needs Program

• Eligibility: Students with special needs.

• Funding Amount: Up to $6,500 annually.

• Application Link: [Mississippi Department of Education – Special Needs ESA]

In addition to Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), various programs and grants across the United States support STEM education for both traditional schools and homeschoolers. Here are some notable opportunities:

1. National Education Association (NEA) Foundation STEM Grants

• Eligibility: Public, private, charter schools, and homeschooling organizations.

• Funding: Planning grants up to $10,000; implementation grants up to $50,000.

• Purpose: To provide students with hands-on STEM experiences, such as school gardens, coding, robotics, and astronomy.

• Application Link: NEA Foundation STEM Grants

2. Project Lead The Way (PLTW) STEM Grants

• Eligibility: Public, private, charter schools, and homeschooling organizations.

• Funding: Varies; PLTW has distributed over $75 million in STEM grants to more than 6,600 schools.

• Purpose: To implement PLTW’s STEM curriculum, providing transformative learning experiences for students.

• Application Link: PLTW STEM Grants

3. Society for Science STEM Action Grants

• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations working to enhance public understanding of science and increase participation of underrepresented populations in STEM.

• Funding: Grants up to $5,000.

• Purpose: To support community-driven initiatives that improve access to STEM education.

• Application Link: Society for Science STEM Action Grants

4. U.S. Department of Education Grants

• Eligibility: Varies by program; includes public and private schools, higher education institutions, and special populations.

• Funding: Varies by grant.

• Purpose: To support a wide range of educational initiatives, including STEM programs.

• Application Link: U.S. Department of Education Grants and Programs

5. STEMfinity STEM Grants

• Eligibility: Schools, nonprofits, and other educational organizations.

• Funding: Varies by grant.

• Purpose: To provide resources and funding opportunities for STEM education initiatives.

• Application Link: STEMfinity STEM Grants

6. STEMgrants.com

• Eligibility: K-12 schools, nonprofits, and higher education institutions.

• Funding: Varies by grant.

• Purpose: To offer a comprehensive listing of available STEM grants and resources to help organizations secure funding.

• Application Link: STEMgrants.com

7. YOU Belong in STEM Initiative

• Eligibility: Educational institutions and organizations aiming to implement high-quality STEM education.

• Purpose: A U.S. Department of Education initiative designed to strengthen and increase STEM education nationwide, ensuring all students excel in rigorous and relevant STEM learning.

• Information Link: YOU Belong in STEM

Application Tips:

• Check Deadlines: Application periods vary; ensure you apply within the specified timeframe.

• Prepare Documentation: Gather necessary documents such as proof of eligibility, program proposals, and budgets.

• Review Eligible Expenses: Understand what expenses are covered to make the most of the funds.